Easy Sweet Potato Casserole
This Praline Topped Sweet Potato Casserole will win over the whole family! A quick to prepare Thanksgiving side dish recipe that trumps the marshmallow version. My dad commented, “this tastes like candy,” as he went for his second helping!
Even if you think you don’t like sweet potatoes, this Southern Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe will change your mind!
Why You Must Make this Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans
- It’s definitely decadent enough for a holiday side dish!
- The process is not taxing, in fact, it’s very easy to make.
- Like my dad said after his first bite, “It tastes like candy!” Though recently, I cut the amount of sugar in half and it’s still plenty sweet! I’ve given a range in the recipe card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bake, boil or open and drain a can of sweet potatoes. Use a potato ricer, masher, or mixer, and process until smooth. Add milk, sugar, and/or seasonings to taste.
For this recipe, the mashed sweet potatoes will be measured out as part of the recipe, so there is no need to add any seasonings.
It depends on the recipe. Many are topped with marshmallows but this one is crowned with a mixture of brown sugar, flour, butter, and pecans.
The sweet potatoes have vanilla, sugar, and milk added to them. Other ingredients can include cinnamon and other spices, maple syrup, and/or nuts.
Yams are not commonly sold in the US even though some canned sweet potatoes are labeled as yams. A yam’s flesh can be white, yellow, purple or pink and the skin is dark and bark-like. They’re starchier than sweet potatoes and not as sweet.
Sweet potatoes have moister flesh that can be white, orance, rosy colored or purple. Their skin is smoother.
Yes! Both the topping and the mashed and sweetened sweet potato mixture can be made a day or two ahead of time. Store the components in the refrigerator, but bring them out to take the chill off for about an hour before baking.
Just spread the sweet potatoes in your baking dish, then crumble on the topping. Bake as directed, but note that it may take extra time if it did not come to room temperature after being in the fridge.
Single servings can be microwaved. To reheat the whole casserole, cover with foil and place in a 300 degree oven for 15-20 minutes depending on how much is in the dish.
Yes, your leftovers can be frozen up to 3 months if it’s kept airtight. The praline topping might get a little soft when it defrosts, but it will still be tasty.
How to Make this Easy Sweet Potato Casserole
- Mash your sweet potatoes. I prefer using baked sweet potatoes as boiled can be too watery.
- Preheat oven to 350º and butter a 2-quart baking dish.
- Combine sweet potatoes, sugar, vanilla, and milk and mix well. Pour into baking dish and smooth top.
- Mix the flour, brown sugar, and pecans. Cut in butter until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
- Sprinkle the topping over the sweet potatoes.
- Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes.
Southern Sweet Potato Casserole
After recommending our local Junior League’s sweet potato recipe to my friend, I realized I hadn’t posted this Sweet Potato Casserole recipe with you all. These candied sweet potatoes are a more elegant version of the classic marshmallow-topped casserole.
Be forewarned, though. This dish could almost pass for a dessert, so it’s perfect for a carb-heavy turkey day meal. But maybe a wee bit too sweet to serve any time but a holiday, but definitely worth the calorie splurge!
More Thanksgiving Recipe Inspiration!
To save you from digging, here are a few other Thanksgiving side dishes for you to consider:
Holiday Side Dishes
Tried and true side dish recipes that are perfect for the holidays! They're ideal for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and more!
When you’re looking for an off-season salad, this Apple, Cherry, Walnut Salad with Maple Dressing is a delicious option!
This Holiday Fruit Salad is a family tradition that has been made for 4 generations!
A lettuce salad delicious enough for special occasions, but easy enough for every day!
A dreamy cranberry salad perfect for Thanksgiving.
A vibrant layered Jello salad that will impress both young and old!
An updated favorite from my childhood, this easy spinach souffle is perfect for the holidays!
A fabulous 6 strand, pumpkin challah loaf with some extra sweetness from pumpkin!
The classic fruit salad made without Cool Whip!
More Holiday Side Dishes You’ll Love:
Helpful Tools:
Sweet Potato Casserole with Praline Topping
A terrific sweet potato recipe that will convert even your biggest naysayer!
Ingredients
- 3 cups mashed cooked sweet potatoes (about 3 large)
- 1/4-1/2 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4-1/2 cup milk
Topping:
- 1/3 cup flour
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup butter
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350º.
- Butter a 2-quart baking dish. Set aside.
- Combine sweet potatoes, sugar, vanilla, and milk and mix well. Pour into baking dish and smooth top.
- Mix the flour and brown sugar. Cut in butter until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
- Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes.
Notes
Adapted from Winners cookbook
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 363Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 21mgSodium: 100mgCarbohydrates: 50gFiber: 4gSugar: 33gProtein: 4g